Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he perceives as a deliberate "silence" regarding the late singer Zubeen Garg during the Prime Minister's recent visit to Assam. Speaking to a gathering in Majuli on Sunday, Gogoi expressed his disappointment that despite attending multiple programs and political events over two days, Modi did not utter a single word about the late Assamese cultural icon.
Gogoi emphasized the deep emotional connection the people of Assam had with Zubeen Garg, whose death triggered widespread public demands for justice. He questioned why the Prime Minister couldn't spare a moment to visit "Zubeen Kshetra" in Sonapur, a place holding significant emotional value for the Assamese people, while finding time to visit party headquarters.
"Lakhs of Assamese people came out demanding justice for Zubeen da," Gogoi stated. "You were in Assam for two days, yet you did not find time to visit Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur. You could visit party headquarters, but you could not spare a moment for a place that holds deep emotional value for the people of Assam," he added.
Gogoi didn't stop at questioning the Prime Minister's itinerary. He also questioned why Modi failed to acknowledge Garg in his speeches. "You criticised the Congress, and we endured that. But not a single word on justice for Zubeen da? This silence is painful," Gogoi said. He called Garg “the voice of Assam,” and said that ignoring him was not merely a personal slight but an insult to the collective sentiments of the Assamese people. “The place Zubeen da holds in our hearts is unmatched. Such neglect amounts to disrespecting the entire Assamese community,” he added.
The Congress MP contrasted Modi's approach with that of Congress leaders, noting that Rahul Gandhi had personally visited Zubeen Khetra, met with the family, and demanded justice. He also mentioned that Sonia Gandhi had written a condolence letter to Garg's family. Gogoi asked, "Who drafted the speech?".
Gogoi has been a vocal advocate for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Zubeen Garg's death. He has previously written to Prime Minister Modi, urging him to ensure that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Assam Police operates under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). He expressed concern that the Assam government, particularly Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, had shown undue leniency towards those allegedly responsible for Garg's death, potentially leading to evidence tampering. He also criticized the Chief Minister for comparing peaceful protests in Assam to unrest in Nepal.
Furthermore, Gogoi has reiterated public demands for Zubeen Garg to be posthumously honored with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. He emphasized that the perceived apathy from the Prime Minister is unacceptable in that context.
It is worth noting that the demand to honor another of Assam's cultural icons, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, with the Bharat Ratna had been raised previously. Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had also written to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, requesting the honor for Hazarika. Hazarika was eventually conferred with the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Gaurav Gogoi's criticism of PM Modi underscores the strong sentiments surrounding Zubeen Garg's death and the desire for justice and recognition of his contributions to Assamese culture.
